Spectrum-per-Pixel Cathodoluminescence Imaging of CdTe Thin-Film Bevels

John Moseley, Mowafak Al-Jassim, Harvey Guthrey, Wyatt Metzger, James Burst

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

1 Scopus Citations

Abstract

We conduct T=6 K cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum imaging with a nano-scale electron beam on beveled surfaces of CdTe thin-films at different critical stages of standard CdTe device fabrication. The through-thickness total CL intensity profiles are consistent with a reduction in grain boundary recombination due to the CdCl2 treatment. Color-coded maps of the low-temperature luminescence transition energies reveal that CdTe thin films have remarkably non-uniform opto-electronic properties, which depend strongly on sample processing history. The grain-to-grain S content in the interdiffused CdTe/CdS region is estimated from a sample size of thirty-five grains, and the S content in adjacent grains varies significantly in CdCl2-treated samples. A low-temperature luminescence model is developed to interpret spectral behavior at grain boundaries and grain interiors.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages3382-3385
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Nov 2016
Event43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016 - Portland, United States
Duration: 5 Jun 201610 Jun 2016

Conference

Conference43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland
Period5/06/1610/06/16

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 IEEE.

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5K00-67959

Keywords

  • cathodoluminescence
  • CdTe solar cells
  • grain boundaries
  • grain interiors
  • recombination

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